The Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Negeri Semarang (FT UNNES) welcomed a delegation from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia for an international academic programme on September 8–9, 2026. Held at the FT UNNES Dean’s Office building, the visit brought together a public lecture, a research seminar, and an academic visit to encourage the exchange of knowledge between the two institutions.
The UiTM delegation included Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Eeydzah Aminudin and her team. They were welcomed by the Dean of FT UNNES, Prof. Dr. Wirawan Sumbodo, M.T., along with the faculty’s vice deans and study programme coordinators. Their participation provided an opportunity for lecturers, students, and faculty leaders to engage with international academic perspectives in a shared learning setting. The activities formed part of FT UNNES’s efforts to expand international engagement in education and research.
A central part of the programme was a public lecture titled “Bibliometric-Based Systematic Literature Review Using VOSviewer.” The session introduced participants to the use of VOSviewer in examining academic literature. For students and lecturers developing research projects, the topic offered a way to consider how published studies can be explored systematically before formulating a research question or identifying an area for further investigation.
Bibliometric analysis can help researchers examine patterns across publications, such as recurring topics and connections among areas of study. In the context of a literature review, these patterns can provide a broader view of how a field has developed. The lecture therefore connected a practical research tool with a wider academic skill: reading existing scholarship carefully and using it to guide future work.
Participants responded actively during the session. Students raised questions about VOSviewer’s functions and how they might apply the tool in their own work at UNNES. Their discussion showed interest in moving beyond an introduction to the software toward its possible use in research practice. The visiting lecturer programme also gave participants a chance to learn from researchers working in a different university setting.
The public lecture was one element of a wider two-day exchange. Alongside the lecture, the research seminar and academic visit created space for interaction between the UNNES and UiTM delegations. Such meetings can help both institutions identify shared academic interests and consider opportunities for continued cooperation in teaching and research.
The programme relates directly to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education. By giving students and lecturers access to an international learning experience and a research methods session, FT UNNES sought to strengthen the knowledge and skills available within its academic community. The emphasis on research literacy is especially relevant for participants preparing literature reviews, proposals, theses, or scholarly publications.
The visit also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which recognises the value of cooperation in advancing sustainable development. In this case, the partnership took a concrete form through the exchange of academic expertise and direct engagement between representatives of UNNES and UiTM Malaysia. The event may serve as a foundation for further joint activities, although any future projects would need to be developed and agreed upon by the two institutions.
Through the visiting lecturer session, research seminar, and academic visit, FT UNNES and UiTM Malaysia demonstrated how an international partnership can contribute to everyday academic work. The two-day programme gave participants an opportunity to explore a research method, ask questions directly, and build connections that could support future educational and research collaboration.
